James H. Oettel

"Root - Hog or Die": the Life Story of James H. Oettel

The Author wrote about the hardship he and his family went through with not much help from the Government. This is the life and struggles of a family of six during the depression years. They say we are the essence of everything we have experienced and all the people we have met. It expresses the words my Dad used when we were in desperate situations. "ROOT-HOG or DIE." It describes how some families lived around Warsaw, Missouri. We lived in a cave for almost two years, under bridges, in cotton piles, what we slept on and how we kept dry, and out of the wind and cold. What we had for food, cooking utensils and other accommodations. Going to the Blind school, Entering Service. Having a Foster Group Home with 153 children. Having four Auctions.